Texas A&M University Office for Student Success

Peer Mentor Expectations

Each OSS LC Peer Mentor is a current participant in their specific LC and can provide students with in-depth guidance on managing the college transition and balancing their academic obligations with their scholarship requirements.

Students Can Expect Peer Mentors To:

  • Listen
  • Share their campus knowledge
  • Help them determine options
  • Connect them with campus or community resources
  • Communicate frequently
  • Teach them about new things

Peer Mentors Can Expect Students To:

  • Respond to communication
  • Participate fully in class or at events
  • Ask questions
  • Respect their time
  • Have fun
  • Let them know when they need help
  • Teach them about new things

Peer Mentor Training

International Peer Educator Training Program
The OSS Learning Communities Peer Mentor Training Program is a certified International Peer Educator Training Program through the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA). Selected peer mentors start training toward earning a CRLA Level I Mentor (“Certified”) certificate in the spring semester in which they are selected. This training continues with Hullabaloo U online coursework and our Camp Mentor experiential development retreat in the following summer, then is supplanted with monthly required trainings throughout the full academic year. By the end of their second and third years of service, our peer mentors are eligible to earn CRLA Level II Mentor (“Advanced”) and Level III Mentor (“Master”) certificates, respectively. These certificates are earned by completing specific training sessions for each level and mentoring for 50 hours (Level I), 75 hours (Level II), or 100 hours (Level III).
Camp Mentor
The most important training for Learning Communities peer mentors in the Century Scholars, GTF Scholars, and First-Year Eats programs. Camp Mentor occurs in August prior to the beginning of classes. Camp Mentor starts on campus and concludes at an off-site retreat center on the third day. Camp Mentor peer leaders refresh their knowledge of academic coaching, community-building, student transition issues, and group dynamics. During planning sessions, each LC finalizes the calendar for the year, prepares for Howdy Week events, and gets ready for the first week of classes. Mentors have a lot of fun too!

Academic Support

Each learning community is unique,

but academic success is central to the purpose of those in OSS Learning Communities .

Students are encouraged to reach out to peers to form study groups, share perspectives from different academic classes, and to reach out for assistance when needed.

Academic Coaching

Learning Community Peer Mentors also have practice in discussing academic issues and helping students find their possible next steps. Students are encouraged to seek out Academic Coaching at the Academic Success Center.

Academic Success Center Link